Game on! Auburn, Oregon will be on the go when they meet tonight for the national championship

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Playing keep-away from an Oregon offense that likes to take only about 10 seconds between plays seems like a good idea in the BCS national championship game tonight, but don't tell Auburn wide receiver Darvin Adams that's the plan.

His idea of Auburn ball control is the length of time it takes him to score on a long pass from Cam Newton.

Eight seconds? Ten? That sounds about right.

"We try to go fast, too," Adams said.

Auburn and Oregon have two of the most dynamic offenses in the nation, and that's why the Tigers and Ducks are playing for the national title. With Heisman Trophy winner Newton calling the shots at quarterback for Auburn, and NCAA-leading rusher LaMichael James running for Oregon, these offenses may blow the roof off 72,000-seat University of Phoenix Stadium in the game that starts at 7:30, Auburn time.

Oregon's LaMichael James running toward tonight's game (AP photo)

Playing keep-away? Not a chance.

"Our coaches always say that's not something to worry about because when we do score, that's points on the board," Adams said. "We feel like we have a good defense, and I think those guys will be ready to play."

Auburn carries a 13-0 record, the Southeastern Conference championship and the weight of a fan base hungry for its first national title since 1957. Oregon carries a 12-0 record, the Pac-10 crown and the chance to deny the SEC its fifth straight BCS title.

Both teams have been in Arizona for a week. And both teams have had to answer questions about the speed with which they score.

Auburn has tried to simulate Oregon's fast-paced attack by running plays every nine seconds in practice. Auburn coach Gene Chizik said the Tigers have been hard-pressed to do that.

But Oregon coach Chip Kelly said simulating the person responsible for 49 touchdowns, the most in the country this season, hasn't been easy, either.

"We can't simulate Cam Newton. No one can," he said.

Newton leads the SEC in rushing and is the first player in conference history to have at least 1,000 rushing yards and 2,000 passing yards in the same season. He's instant offense.

But Chizik has said Auburn can play it slow, too. The Tigers have famously scored fast this season, but also reeled off a 7 ½-minute drive against Kentucky that resulted in a last-second, winning field goal.

"What we'd like to try to do offensively," Chizik said, "is keep the football and eat some clock, get some first downs."

But sometimes Auburn can't help itself. And Oregon can't, either. The Tigers and Ducks have combined for 82 -- eighty-two! -- scoring drives that have taken less than two minutes.

Oregon's defense is statistically better. But Auburn's defense has rallied to allow the Tigers to have eight comeback victories. Auburn has allowed 201 points in the first half of games. The Tigers have allowed 117 in the second half of games.

The Tigers were at their second-half best in the three final three games, allowing Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina a combined 59 first-half-points and only 16 to close out those games.

Maybe somebody will just need to take a deep breath and take in the atmosphere.

"They're going to so hyped, the adrenaline is going to be flowing," Chizik said. "I don't know that they settle down until after the first series when they really see the speed of the game, when they understand the dynamics of the actual opponent they're playing against down in, down out. The game will take a minute to slow down."